Chopping art, music classes a detriment to students, society

When schools make budget cuts in the academic world, the first classes to take one for the team tend to be the art and music classes.

Why exactly is this? The ability to express and enhance an emotion through the talents of visual and audio combinations is one of the pinnacles of human achievement and culture. Allowing students to express their inner creativity and ideas could translate into real-world successes. According to The Washington Post, "Low-income students who had arts-rich experiences in high schools were more than three times as likely to earn a B.A. as low-income students without those experiences." (The Washington Pose, "Will less art and music in the classroom really help students soar academically?")

Areas in all forms of art are severely underappreciated for what they can accomplish. In a study by the Center for Music Research at Florida State University, researchers found that, "Students at risk of not successfully completing their high school educations cite their participation in the arts as reasons for staying in school." (The Washington Post)

As is evident, not only does participation in the arts encourage staying in school, but it also encourages higher education after high school. Admittedly, it is true that it is the art and music classes that cost the most, and financially-speaking, make sense to cut first. But, is it reasonable to put the finances of the school above the well-being of the student?

Dana Westfield

Lucas

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Chopping art, music classes a detriment to students, society

When schools make budget cuts in the academic world, the first classes to take one for the team tend to be the art and music classes.